Moody’s expands Orbis Crossborder Investment capabilities with IBM Plant Location International collaboration

We are thrilled to announce our collaboration with IBM Plant Location International, a global consulting service for corporate location and economic development strategies. This further cements our position as one of the leading providers of foreign direct investment (FDI) data and software solutions. We designed our comprehensive suite of products and services to provide tools to support economic development and investment promotion as well as to help businesses identify and seize investment opportunities.

David East, Senior Director and the initiator of Orbis Crossborder Investment, notes, “With this collaboration, our customers will now be able to gain a richer understanding of how companies have been globalizing in the 21st century. By tracking both cross-border mergers and acquisitions (M&A) deal activity and Greenfield/Brownfield investment projects at the company level, Orbis Crossborder Investment helps users to understand how companies have been expanding globally.”

We are also excited to share that with this collaboration, we have expanded and enhanced our FDI data within the Orbis Crossborder Investment tool, offering even more robust insights and analytical capabilities. Our platform provides extensive FDI research and insights, advanced risk assessment and due diligence tools, and tools to help develop investment promotion strategies.

The cross-border investment landscape has changed significantly over the past 20 years. From the financial crisis in 2008-2009 and the Covid-19 pandemic to conflicts in both Europe and the Middle East, as well as an increasingly fragile geopolitical landscape and growing protectionism, the past two decades have presented numerous challenges to companies and had a noticeable impact on investor confidence. With this IBM-PLI collaboration, we at Moody’s, via our Orbis Crossborder Investment solution, have been able to extend our coverage and now provide key insights into how companies have been globalizing over the past 21 years via the daily tracking of our Greenfield/Brownfield FDI projects and cross-border M&A deal activity.

The Covid-19 pandemic and the ongoing trade war between the US and China have significantly disrupted global supply chains. Companies have had to reconfigure their supply chains to mitigate risks and ensure continuity. Orbis Crossborder Investment provides granular data that helps our customers understand these shifts. By analyzing the data, businesses can identify new supply chain configurations, understand the impact of these changes on their operations, and make decisions to optimize their supply chains.

The fragile geopolitical landscape has led to a greater focus on regionalization as opposed to globalization. Concepts like nearshoring, reshoring, and friendshoring have gained prominence as companies seek to reduce their dependence on distant markets and bring their operations closer to home or to friendly nations. Orbis Crossborder Investment tracks these trends, providing insights into how companies are adjusting their strategies in response to geopolitical uncertainties. This data helps businesses to identify potential opportunities for regional expansion and make decisions that align with the current geopolitical climate.

Driven by increased national security concerns and protectionism, there has been a rise in FDI screening. This trend is not only impacting inward investment but outward investment as well. The Orbis suite of solutions offers advanced tools for effective FDI screening, helping organizations navigate the complexities of national security regulations and protectionist policies. By providing detailed information on both inward and outward investments, our platform helps businesses conduct thorough due diligence, assess risks, and make investment decisions.

Having access to this granular data provides our customers with richer insights, helping them decode risks and unlock opportunities. Moody’s is committed to supporting trade and investment organizations in various ways. We assist in economic development and offer comprehensive FDI research and policymaking insights. Our experience and advanced tools help organizations to make decisions, drive growth, and navigate the global investment landscape’s complexities.

Discover how Moody’s can support your organization to make decisions and drive growth. Visit our website to learn more or schedule a call with us today!